A-League club Brisbane Roar have warmed the hearts of countless Aussies after their kind-hearted offer to the Iranian footballers who were granted humanitarian visas to stay in the country.
Five players from Iran’s Women’s Asian Cup squad were seeking asylum, and their wish was granted by the Albanese government.
Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh and Mona Hamoudi saw their visas rubber-stamped by Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke around 1.30am on Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday night, striker Mohadeseh Zolfi and team procurement manager Fleur Meshkin-Kar also decided to stay in Australia.
The rest of the squad opted to return to Iran, where they face uncertain futures.
Once the safety of the footballers was guaranteed on local shores, Daily Mail can confirm Brisbane Roar, led by forward-thinking CEO Kaz Patafta and Chief Operating Officer Zac Anderson, went public with their generous offer, which included ‘a place to train and belong.’
A-League club Brisbane Roar have warmed the hearts of countless Aussies after their kind-hearted offer to the Iranian footballers who were granted humanitarian visas (pictured, CEO Kaz Patafta)
Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh and Mona Hamoudi saw their visas rubber-stamped by Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke
On Tuesday night, striker Mohadeseh Zolfi (pictured, right) and team procurement manager Fleur Meshkin-Kar also decided to stay in Australia
‘Like many Australians, everyone at Brisbane Roar FC has been watching the story of the Iran women’s national football team players now here in Queensland with immense admiration,’ a post on X read.
‘These are elite footballers — passionate, talented women who love the game just as deeply as we do.
‘To Fatemeh, Zahra, Zahra, Atefeh, Mona, and any of your teammates building a new life here in Australia: Brisbane is home to one of the country’s most passionate football communities, and the Roar family has a big heart.
‘We’d be honoured to open our doors and offer you a place to train, play, and belong and will begin to explore how to make this happen.
‘No politics. No conditions. Just football, community, and a warm welcome. Queensland is your home now.’
The Iranian players first attracted global headlines when they refused to sing their national anthem before their opening Asian Cup match against South Korea on March 2 on the Gold Coast.
As the Islamic regime’s anthem played, the players and coach Marziyeh Jafari stood in silence, less than 48 hours after the US announced Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed.
Days later – also on the Gold Coast – the team and support staff performed and saluted their national anthem before taking on the Matildas.
Once the safety of the footballers was guaranteed, Brisbane Roar, led by CEO Kaz Patafta and Chief Operating Officer Zac Anderson, went public with their generous offer on X
The Iranian football team generated global headlines after refusing to sing their national anthem before their first match of the Asian Cup on the Gold Coast on March 2 against South Korea (pictured)
Harrowing footage later emerged from Iran, with the players who stayed silent labelled ‘wartime traitors’ who must be dealt with severely.
A Football Australia spokesman said the ongoing safety of the Iran players was their main priority.
‘We have been in dialogue with the Australian Government, AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and FIFA seeking their advice and support,’ the spokesman told News Corp.
‘The entire Iranian national team, players and officials, have shown tremendous courage during a very difficult time.’
